How to Make a Savory Cranberry Dark Chocolate Latte

amandakaybradley

2 years ago

Winter always makes me crave something warm and savory with a hint of coffee flavor.

And this winter has been all about the cranberries!

Their tart flavor pairs so perfectly with espresso that I had to create a new favorite hot drink to celebrate both the berry and the season.

And thus, the dark chocolate cranberry latte was born!

It’s an elegant drink that comes together quickly, even if you don’t have an espresso machine.

So, stick with me as we explore the drink guaranteed to make your top 10 favorite winter drinks!

If you’re a skip-to-the-good-parts kind of person, click here to jump to the recipe.

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What is a Cranberry Dark Chocolate Latte?

This drink is the perfect amalgamation of tart cranberry, savory dark chocolate, and just a hint of comforting coffee flavor.

It’s chic, delectable, and the perfect way to stay warm on a chilly winter’s evening!

What’s in a Cranberry Dark Chocolate Latte?

Although elegant, this drink comes together quickly with a few simple ingredients.

Cranberry Flavor Syrup

You can buy cranberry syrup from Amazon, but I prefer to make my own.

It comes together quickly with cane sugar, water, and cranberries.

And I love being able to leave all those artificial ingredients found in commercial syrups out.

Milk

I love using oat milk for all my coffee recipes, but feel free to use whatever you have in the fridge.

Skim or 2% froths well, adding extra body to the drink.

Almond or even soy milk are also solid options for this drink.

Coconut milk would likely work, but you may have a tropical flavor to the final drink.

Coffee

If you’re using espresso for this drink, pull 2 shots.

You can also use strongly brewed regular coffee.

I enjoy using my French press to make an espresso-like equivalent.

The recipe below gives specifics on how to use your French press.

Ignore those instructions if you’re using your espresso maker.

You can also choose to leave the coffee out entirely, as this drink is a nice twist on a classic hot chocolate.

Dark Chocolate

And last but not least is the dark chocolate.

I used melted Ghirardelli 60% cacao squares, but you could use a dark chocolate bar.

Milk chocolate also works but then the drink transitions slightly away from its “dark” chocolate roots.

White chocolate is also a nice twist. I recently posted a recipe for a cranberry white chocolate latte, which you can find here.

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Latte Recipe

Warm, savory, and the perfect drink to sip in front of a warm fire on a chilly winter evening!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings 1 person

Ingredients

½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen
4 tbsp finely ground coffee or espresso
3.5 cups hot water
1 Ghirardelli dark chocolate square
1.5 cups milk

Instructions

In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Boil for approximately 1 minute. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cranberries and simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the cranberries burst open.
Pour the cranberry syrup through as trainer to remove the cranberry hulls. Allow it to cool, then pour it into a syrup container or Mason jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Put the ground coffee into the French press and pour over the hot water. Let steep for 10 minutes and then pour out.
Using a grater, grate the Ghirardelli square into your mug and cover it with a small amount of hot espresso to melt the chocolate. You can also break the Ghirardelli square into small pieces if you don't want to grate it. Stir gently until the chocolate has melted, and then fill half your mug with the espresso. Alternately if using espresso machine, pour 1 shot of hot espresso in with the chocolate to soften it. Once melted, stir in the other shot.
Combine the milk and 1-2 tablespoons of the cranberry syrup in an automatic frother to warm and froth the milk simultaneously You can alternately warm the milk with cranberry syrup in a small saucepan on the stove and then use a handheld frother to add a bit of foam.
Pour the steamed milk into the espresso and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sugar is in a cranberry dark chocolate latte?

One Ghirardelli dark chocolate square has about 4 grams of sugar, while 1 tablespoon of simple syrup contains around 8 grams of sugar for a total of 12 grams of sugar.

Add an extra tablespoon of syrup, and you’ll have around 20 grams of sugar.

And it’s still less sugar than you’ll find in most custom coffee shop drinks.

Is there caffeine in a cranberry dark chocolate latte?

It’s up to you.

I generally stick to decaf coffee in my custom coffee creations because I typically make them in the afternoon.

If you’re making this recipe for your kids, you can leave the coffee out entirely.

It’s a tasty recipe, with or without caffeine!

Are cranberries good for you?

Yes. Cranberries have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a superfood.

Can you make an iced cranberry dark chocolate latte?

Absolutely! Follow the steps above to melt the chocolate and combine it with espresso. Allow it to cool, then combine it with cold foamed cranberry-flavored milk and enjoy!

Serve the drink over ice.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated drink to celebrate the winter season, look no further than the cranberry dark chocolate latte.

And with this simple recipe, you can enjoy it all summer long as well!

If you’re looking for more recipes to celebrate the winter season, check out one or two of my previous posts.